SPC student's murderer may have injuries

Published: Friday, March 21, 2008

Robin Pyle

Bradford McIver's killer may have been injured during a struggle with the South Plains College student.

Lubbock police are asking residents to be watchful for somebody who may have received unexplained or suspicious cuts since Saturday. McIver was stabbed multiple times. Police had not yet received test results on blood found in the apartment.

"We just suspect (the killer) was injured somehow in the altercation," said Sgt. Jim Pachall.

Officials have already checked area hospitals for a possible suspect.

There were obvious signs of a struggle inside the apartment, which was found unlocked. Police said there weren't signs of forced entry into the apartment, located in the 700 block of Indiana Avenue.

Police said they need any tips the public may be able to provide. Friends found McIver, 19, dead in his Indiana Village apartment on Monday around 6:30 p.m. He was last seen alive on Saturday.

Sgt. John Gomez said authorities had received several tips through Crime Line, but had not found any witnesses.

Funeral services for the slain college student were held Thursday in his hometown of Albany, a community of about 2,000 southeast of Lubbock. He graduated from the high school there in 2006.

His violent death shocked friends who say they can't imagine who would want to hurt McIver.

"Bradford was an extremely kind-hearted person," said Casey Winters, a Texas Tech student who is from the same hometown as McIver. "He loved everyone. Everyone who knew him loved him. He was not hard to love."

Many of his friends said he was known for his caring heart and how he made others laugh.

He was interested in journalism, was an award-winning yearbook staff member in high school, frequently attended church camp when he was younger and was on the youth council at his hometown church.

McIver's death was the third reported homicide this month as well as this year in Lubbock. Suspects have been arrested and charged in the first two homicides.